Hygroscopic disk



June 14, 1949. B. (:ONES 2;473,27s

HYGROSGOPIG DISK Original Filed Feb. 2, 1944 I Be); C o/ es W Patented June 14, 1949 HYGROSCOPIC DISK Ben Cones, Indianapolis, Ind.

Original application February 2, 1944, Serial No. 520,811. Divided and this application June 15, 1945, Serial No. 599,595

1 Claim.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in expansible disc structures for employment as thermostats and hygrostats, the

same being a division of my copending application Serial No. 520,811, filed February 2, 1944, for a Universal thermostatic and hygroscopic disc, now abandoned.

An important object of the invention is to provide a structure of the character stated wherein the disc proper will expand or respond to changes under varying subjected conditions, the response being limited to axial direction only, the provision being made for means for limiting the climatic responding action to such directional effort with a view toward more precise measurement or actuation of complemental devices.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device of the character stated wherein the responsive elements are of wood, or the equivalent, to absorb and expand under the influence of moisture and which preferably have external central metal plates secured in place by elements which mount a stabilizing spring to normally equalize the position of these parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description:

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational'view of a hygrostat constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the structure shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of one of the hygroscopic discs looking at the inner side thereof.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in the drawings that the principles of the invention are shown applied to hygrostatic disc or unit. This particular unit is constructed, as far as the discs are concerned, of wood, for instance maple, although they may be of any equivalent material which will absorb moisture and expand or move away from the other at the center of the unit. These discs are mounted within rings Illa and 13a, which are of some non-expansible material. The ring Illa is provided with slots Ma adapted to receive a suitable tool whereby the ring l3a can be pried from the ring Illa. The inside of the rings Illa and Ba are formed with inclined shoulders Ila, l3b to engage the outer peripheral portions of the discs 20.

The discs have openings lGa functioning to enable moisture to reach both faces of each disc. The discs 20 at their central portions have screwthreaded openings 2| which are detachably engaged by screw studs 22 carried by metallic plates 23 of, for instance, aluminum. The plates 23 have fiat bearing surfaces at their centers, as at 24, and the studs have central openings 25 functioning like those at I8. A spacer spring, which is an expansive coil 26, is employed to stabilize the discs 20 and it is positioned with its ends in contact with the studs 22 and with projections 21 on such studs extending into the spring.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is: c

A structure of the character described comprising a ring substantially non-responsive to humidity and having an annular cut-away portion at one side to define a shoulder and provided at its opposite side with an annular lip having a beveled inner surface, a pair of concavo convex shaped expansion discs disposed within the ring and having their concaved sides opposed, a compression spring interposed between the central portions of the discs and impinging thereagainst, a second ring of less diameter than the first adapted to be set within the first ring and on said shoulder, said second ring having an inwardly disposed annular lip at its outer side .formed with a beveled inner surface, said discs at their peripheral portions being adapted to abut said beveled faces of said lips by the force of the spring.

BEN CONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,128,425 Dunham Feb. 16, 1915 1,688,291 Theander Oct. 16, 1928 1,791,375 Porter Feb. 3, 1931 1,926,730 Miller Sept. 12, 1933 2,025,545 Muff Dec. 24, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 403,753 Great Britain Jan. 4, 1934 507,266 France June 17, 1920 

